+ MISSION HUH? +

+CHAPTER 14+

The mystery man in the driver's seat turned off the engine with a deliberate click, breaking the silence. He glanced back at them with an unreadable expression. "Alright, guys, follow me," he instructed, his voice calm yet commanding as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.

The group stayed silent but obedient, each of them sensing that this was not the time for questions. As Jaemin leaned over Andrea, he carefully swept a strand of hair away from her face, his touch light and hesitant. "Drea, wake up," he whispered, his voice warm but laced with urgency.

Andrea stirred, letting out an indistinct murmur that sounded vaguely like "five more minutes." Before Jaemin could say anything else, Victoria leaned over the seat with a mischievous grin. "Bitch, get up!!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the stillness like a crack of thunder.

Andrea jolted awake, her sudden movement sending her head colliding with Jaemin's elbow. She groaned in pain, clutching her forehead as Jaemin winced, his face twisting in sympathy. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his hand hovering near her as though debating whether to touch her again.

"I'm fine," Andrea muttered, though her voice was tinged with the frustration of being rudely awakened. Victoria, unbothered, let out a laugh and hopped out of the car, her boots crunching against the gravel below.

The group assembled outside, their breaths visible in the chilly night air. They followed the mystery man cautiously, their steps crunching rhythmically as they approached an enormous pair of doors. The glowing clown face above them leered down with an unsettling grin, its garish lights flickering faintly. The group exchanged wary glances, a mix of confusion and fear reflected in their eyes.

The man leading them approached the doors without hesitation. A low hum filled the air as a scanner embedded in the door glowed to life, recognizing his face with a mechanical chirp. The heavy doors groaned as they parted, revealing a surreal interior that immediately overwhelmed their senses.

The room they entered was like stepping into another world. The lights were dimmed, but they cast an eerie glow against the pink, purple, and green walls, the colors blending into one another like a living painting. The air buzzed faintly, the hum of hidden machinery adding to the otherworldly atmosphere. Bright orange and white furniture dotted the space, their sharp shapes clashing with the softness of the neon walls. Doors to countless rooms lined the perimeter, each one looking more mysterious than the last. Unfamiliar faces moved about the place, their expressions guarded and unreadable.

A tall woman emerged from one of the rooms, her aura commanding immediate attention. Her sharp gaze was softened only by the two bodyguards flanking her, their imposing presence emphasizing her authority. The mystery man spoke first. "I brought them to you, Jaeda," he said, his tone reverent.

Jaeda's lips curved into a smile, though it was unclear whether it was one of kindness or amusement. Her eyes landed on Andrea, lingering as though assessing her. "Thank you, Taeyong," she said smoothly. Then, her attention returned to Andrea, her expression softening slightly. "Taeyong, lead the girl to go get changed."

Andrea stiffened under Jaeda's gaze, her heartbeat quickening. Taeyong followed Jaeda's line of sight, his sharp eyes singling out Andrea's disheveled appearance. He nodded. "Yes, ma'am," he said curtly before motioning for Andrea to follow him.

Andrea hesitated, her nerves evident in the way she glanced back at Victoria. Victoria met her eyes and gave her a firm nod, her expression unexpectedly reassuring. "You'll be okay," she said with quiet confidence.

Taking a deep breath, Andrea followed Taeyong,

They walked into a room with a sign that read 'Transformation' hanging above the door in elegant, swirling gold letters. The room glowed with much clearer lighting, a warm brightness that made Andrea squint for a moment as her eyes adjusted. The space smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla, calming yet somehow slightly surreal, as though the atmosphere itself had been designed to ease anxieties. Every surface gleamed with pristine perfection—the floors, the countertops, even the mirrors that lined the walls seemed to glow softly.